Category Archives: current events

Dramatic irony

Posted on March 8, 2026 by Rosalind C Hughes

I find myself drawn to the contrast between reports this week that some military commanders are framing the war against Iran as an effort to bring about the end times, as though we may decide these things for God, in our wisdom; the contrast between that and Jesus’ words to the woman that the hour is already come, quietly, unnoticed over a cup of water, when reconciliation happens, and the truth of God’s love for the world, in all of its invented factions and fractions, has been revealed. Continue reading →

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Amongst the Babel of war

Posted on February 28, 2026 by Rosalind C Hughes

We too often misunderstand, I think, what it means to become like God. We build our towers, our satellites in the sky, posing as heavenly bodies, the better to crater and control the earth. We rain down judgement as though … Continue reading →

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The Fast

Posted on February 18, 2026 by Rosalind C Hughes

Is it this, that I would choose, to undo the latches, throw open the doors, empty the warehouses, let in the light, let out the breath, let in the light, let out the breath of the people bated, bated too long, to fast from the bread … Continue reading →

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Nor the moon

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Rosalind C Hughes

By night, soothed by darkness those for whom visibility is treacherous stretch out their palms to God who clouds the stars. The waters of creation still bring life from beyond the hills, the hopeful distance Psalm 121

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Prayers have been shattered into pieces

Posted on January 25, 2026 by Rosalind C Hughes

Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties,
may be duly prepared for the service of thy sanctuary; 
we, reaching forth our hands in love. Continue reading →

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Lenses

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Rosalind C Hughes

I was busy. It wasn’t until late in the day that I finally sat down to prepare a prayer for our meeting. I found one, a good one, except for one word that rang untrue. Do we need to be … Continue reading →

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Intended

Posted on January 4, 2026 by Rosalind C Hughes

That was the vision in which Joseph placed his faith and his family: that God is with us, God’s promises endure forever. It didn’t make life easier, by any means. God knows it didn’t remove the obstacles of grief and the graft and grimness of the world or the wilderness, its empires, its wars, its little kings.

But what it did mean is that he, Joseph, spent the rest of his days in the close and intimate presence of the love of God among us, Jesus. Continue reading →

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Advent I

Posted on November 29, 2025 by Rosalind C Hughes

It is not as simple as the poet makes it sound to transform the form of metal, a sword into farm equipment. Just hit it with a hammer, the prophecy implies, and all will fall, seeds into their furrows and … Continue reading →

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Prayer for a BANI world

Posted on September 19, 2025 by Rosalind C Hughes

BANI, a framework developed by Jamais Cascio, stands for Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible.
For people of faith, there is one reliable place to turn ​when human understanding no longer works. Hence this prayer for a BANI world. Continue reading →

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Jealousy vs joy

Posted on September 14, 2025 by Rosalind C Hughes

Jealousy is the thief of joy. It keeps the elder brother from the family reunion. It prevents the citizen from celebrating the rescue of the refugee, the wealthy from celebrating Jesus’ announcement of good news for the poor and the meek. It resents the love of God for its rival, and leads to the casting of golden calves to spite them all. It clouds the vision of the scribes so that they do not even recognize the Word of God when he is standing right in front of them, telling stories from heaven. Continue reading →

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